Visit Jonathan at
www.expressteacher.com Jonathan's
forum - here! This ancient woodland - formed around 8000 B.C after the last ice age - comprises grassland; heath; bogs; rivers and ponds. Traces of iron age camps can also be found in the woodland. In the 12th century it was a working forest whereby commoners were allowed to grow and gather foodstuffs and use the grasslands for grazing. Queen Elizabeth I used to hunt there in the 16th century - her hunting lodge (renovated in 1589) can still be seen today. In 1882, Queen Victoria officially dedicated Epping Forest to the public - who no longer have the right to graze livestock but do have the right to collect wood. But next time you're thinking of wandering down to the forest on one cold winters night please note that this limited to one piece of driftwood per day per adult. But I wonder if anyone checks?
An interesting range of animals exist within the Forest eco-system including deer, Muntjac and Britain's only venomous snake - the adder. But don't worry, adders usually go into hibernation during September and stay in their hibernacula until march.
The forest also has a strong association with literature. The Victorian novelist Charles Dickens describes it in his novel - 'Barnaby Rudge;' James Herbert - one of Britain's foremost horror writers - based his novel 'Lair' there; Mary Wollstonecraft - writer, philosopher and feminist - spent part of her childhood growing up there. Local legend believes a white stag wanders the forest, whose sighting predicts an omen of trouble and death.
For the more adventurous the forest offers
mountain biking - along its many pathways. In 1928 a motorcycle speedway track was opened though was closed after the second world war - though remains of the sight are still visible in the grounds of Epping Forest Field Centre -www.field-studies-council.org/eppingforest . Orienteering and rambling are also popular activities.
You can also escape from the bustle of city life by trying a spot of fishing.
Regents Canal is popular for coarse fishing, while Battersea Park lake stocks Bream, Roach, Carp, Perch and Rudd fish. Other locations for hooking a big catch are the scenic St. Katharine Dock -www.skdocks.co.uk and Brigadiers Lake - brigadierslake.co.uk/default.aspx . If you are over 12 years old then you will need to purchase a
rod license - but at GBP3.50 for a day it's reasonably priced.
